Secure H.323 Data Transmission between Private Networks

This paper shortly describes a conception of H.323 videoconference networking and security module that is part of integrated multimedia support system for research consortia. First, the requirements of this videoconference system are presented. This is followed by a description of common security conceptions. H.323 network suffers from the fact that the protocol itself codes the IP addresses of videoconference participants in the application level data. We propose here a unified system which solves this problem and allows an interconnection of private H.323 networks over the common public network. Results from our previous research are used to establish and maintain a secured communication tunnel and therefore all H.323 communications are encrypted and authenticated. In conclusion, a brief summary of the results obtained during verification of this security conception is given.